harp
noun
\ ˈhärp
\
\
Definition of harp
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a plucked stringed instrument consisting of a resonator, an arched or angled neck that may be supported by a post, and strings of graded length that are perpendicular to the soundboard
2
: something resembling a harp
harp
verb
harped;
harping;
harps
Definition of harp (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to play on a harp
2
: to dwell on or recur to a subject tiresomely or monotonously
—usually used with on
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Other Words from harp
Noun
harpist
\ ˈhär-pist
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of harp in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Loads of instruments — flute, whistles, harp, bodhran and more — breed loads of interest. — Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Raglan Road’s 8th Annual Great Irish Hooley rolls into Disney Springs for Labor Day Weekend," 26 Aug. 2019 The Greeks saw it as a small harp that Mercury the messenger of the gods created out of an old tortoise shell. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, "Sky Watch: Lyra the Lyre may be a small constellation, but it has a big story," 18 Aug. 2019 Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace harp on and on about not letting complacency take root on the Bears, but that doesn’t seem to apply to their QB room. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Bears Q&A: Is there a problem with the backup quarterbacks? How many touches will Cordarrelle Patterson get? Plus more kicker questions.," 21 Aug. 2019 According to the Bible, David played his harp to cast an evil spirit out of Saul, and kept the instrument hanging on a peg above his bed. — Rachel Poser, Harper's magazine, "Common Ground," 19 Aug. 2019 Harper: Latin, a last name traditionally given to someone who plays the harp19. — Maria Del Russo, Woman's Day, "The Most Popular Baby Names, According To The US Social Security Admin," 22 July 2019 This week, the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, including female musicians in burgundy headscarves on cello, horn and harp, played works by 19th-century Russian composers for an enraptured crowd in the capital’s main concert venue, Vahdat Hall. — Washington Post, "At Tehran symphony, music lovers seek escape from reality," 6 July 2019 Only the human voice, otherwise known as the sacred harp, to create the music. — Anna Beahm | [email protected], al.com, "Sacred Harp singing returns to the Jefferson County Courthouse after more than 60 years," 30 June 2019 Excavations there have uncovered skeletons and wooden plates, bowls, and Chinese harps, as well as wooden braziers that held burning material. — Andrew Lawler, Science | AAAS, "Oldest evidence of marijuana use discovered in 2500-year-old cemetery in peaks of western China," 12 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Rivers is forever harping on a core NFL truth that small details decide games and seasons. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: In Chargers talks, Melvin Gordon is underdog but not without leverage," 23 Aug. 2019 Woodson and fellow defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff spent ample time harping on that this offseason as to avoid Igbinoghene getting penalized in games. — Tom Green | [email protected], al, "More confident, Noah Igbinoghene vows 'big change’ coming in his play at corner in Year 2," 23 Aug. 2019 Brian Dodds said the team has to finish strong and have been harping on that in their practices. — Gary Curreri, sun-sentinel.com, "Projecting how Palm Beach teams will fare this season -- district-by-district for Classes 8A-5A; by region for 4A-1A," 23 Aug. 2019 At the City of David, harp music plays through loudspeakers in the courtyard, and a large sculpture of a harp fills an archway at the entrance. — Rachel Poser, Harper's magazine, "Common Ground," 19 Aug. 2019 Dudley has spent much of this year harping on how unsustainable the world's trajectory appears. — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, "BP report: Global carbon emissions rose the most since 2011," 11 June 2019 The world’s biggest food companies harp on about the need to come up with new products. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, "The Missing Piece in Big Food’s Innovation Puzzle," 1 Apr. 2019 Of course, critics like Mr. LeGras will always harp on setbacks. — WSJ, "Better Street Design Is Preventing Fatalities," 24 Jan. 2019 But there is a darker side to the equation: Subsequent failures by the French team saw far-right politicians harp on the supposed lack of patriotism of nonwhite players. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, "The World Cup is a celebration of cosmopolitanism, until it isn’t," 4 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'harp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for harp
harp
noun
English Language Learners Definition of harp
: a musical instrument that has strings stretched across a large open frame and that is played with your fingers
See the full definition for harp in the English Language Learners Dictionary
harp
noun
\ ˈhärp
\
\
Kids Definition of harp
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a musical instrument consisting of a triangular frame set with strings that are plucked by the fingers
harp
verb
harped;
harping
Kids Definition of harp (Entry 2 of 2)
: to call attention to something over and over again
The teacher harped on her mistake.
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